TRANSITIONING IN MARYLAND

1
TRANSITIONING IN MARYLAND

• Walter E. Varner
• State Coordinator, Neglected Delinquent
  Programs
• Maryland State Department of Education
• 2004

2
The Problem

• The Maryland State Department of Education was
  concerned about changes in the Department of
  Juvenile Services incarceration policies and the
  impact those policies changes would have on local
  school systems

3
The Changes in Policies

• The Department of Juvenile Services would
  incarcerate only juveniles who commit category
  three offenses
• Arson
• Hate Crimes
• Manslaughter by Motor Vehicles
• Robbery
• Controlled Substances

4
Impact 1

• Juveniles who previously would have been
  incarcerated for committing other offenses will
  primarily be given home or community detention

5
Impact 2

• Local school systems would have students who
  would have been in a Department of Juvenile
  Services facility

6
Impact 3

• School enrollment and attendance is a requirement
  for most home or community detention and
  probation cases

7
Concerns

• Educational Services that juveniles receive in
  Department of Juvenile Services facilities
• Student records do not often follow the student
• Special Education Services were not being
  provided in a timely manner
• Systems needed to ensure that students returning
  from Department of Juvenile Services facilities
  are appropriately placed within the public school
  system

8
Spring 2002

• Superintendent of Schools requested each local
  school system to form a central interagency team
• The purpose of the team is to focus and
  facilitate the return of the youth from the
  Department of Juvenile Services facilities to
  their respective schools through information
  sharing and comprehensive case management

9
Spring 2002 (contd)

• Teams would benefit from the expertise and
  resources of the Department of Education and the
  Department of Juvenile Services
• Teams would provide appropriate diagnostic
  placement
• Teams would monitor services for juveniles
  transitioning between public schools and Juvenile
  Services facilities

10
Team Compositions At A Minimum

• Student Services which include Pupil Personnel,
  Guidance, School Health and School Psychology
• Special Education Curriculum and Instruction
• Department of Juvenile Services
• Representatives for Wrap Around Services
• Social Services
• Core Services Agency
• Department of Health
• Local School System Court Liaisons

11
Team will

• Provide single point of contact for the
  Department of Juvenile Services
• Facilitate the placement of all involved students
• Provide Case Management
• Review Educational Records for incarcerated
  students
• Monitor placement and work with the Department of
  Juvenile Services to ensure appropriate services
  during incarceration
• Monitor students on home or community detention

12
Interagency Transition TeamAdministrative
Meetings - Regional

• Model Programs are presented
• Discussion of whats working
• Discussion of whats not working
• Identification of barriers to interagency teaming
• Identification of strategies to overcome barriers
• Delinquent, Title I Requirements for Neglected or
  Delinquent Students

13
First Transition Conference

• Scheduled for May 21, 2004
• Focus Role and Functions of Court Liaison
  Workers
• Large Counties
• Medium Counties
• Small or Rural Counties

14
(No Transcript)
15
The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13
Youth Centers State Agency Programs

• Cheltenham Youth Facility, Prince Georges County
• Alfred D. Noyes Center, Montgomery County
• J. De Weese Carter Center, Kent County
• Thomas J.S. Waxter Center, Anne Arundel County
• Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, Baltimore County

16
The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13
Youth Centers State Agency Programs (contd)

• 6. Thomas OFarrell Center, Carroll County
• 7. Western Maryland Childrens Center,
• Washington County
• Eastern Shore Structured Shelter Care, Dorchester
  County
• Lower Eastern Shore Childrens Center, Wicomico
  County

17
The Department of Juvenile Services Operates 13
Youth Centers State Agency Programs (contd)

• Baltimore City Juvenile Services Center,
  Baltimore City
• Maryland Youth Residence Center, Baltimore City
• William Donald Schaefer House, Baltimore City

18
Centers (contd)

• 13. Youth Centers
• Backbone Mountain, Garrett County
• Meadow Mountain, Garrett County
• Savage Mountain, Garrett County
• Green Ridge, Allegany County

19
Title I, Part D, Subpart 2

• 2003-2004 School Year
• Delinquent Children
• Allegany County 43 New Dominion School
• Baltimore City 359 Public School 370
• Baltimore County 87 Baltimore Detention
  Center
• Carroll County 99 Bowling Brook Prep
• Sykesville Shelter School
• Dorchester County 101 Maple Shade School

20
Title I, Part D, Subpart 2 (contd)

• 2003-2004 School Year
• Delinquent Children
• Kent County 9 Kent Youth Center
• Montgomery County 88 Various
  Organizations
• Prince Georges County 5 St. Annes High
  School
• October 2002 Count 791

21
To Be Continued With Adult Correction Transition
Program
22
Contact Information

• Walter E. Varner, Specialist
• Homeless Education Neglected Delinquent
  Education
• Maryland State Department of Education
• Division of Student School Services
• Program Improvement Family Support Branch
• 200 West Baltimore Street
• Baltimore, MD 21201-2595
• Phone [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail wvarner_at_msde.state.md.us
• marylandpublicschools.org
• 1-888-246-0016